Layal Jade Tinubu has extended over ₦70 million in funding to 20 women-led businesses through the latest installment of the Be Empowered programme—a transformative initiative launched in collaboration with the Noella Foundation.
Held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Lagos, the one-day summit welcomed more than 150 attendees and focused on bolstering women’s roles in the entrepreneurial space. The event was the climax of the second edition of the programme, which attracted a nationwide response of over 2,500 applicants.
From this large pool, 200 entrepreneurs were selected to participate in the summit. Five of them had the opportunity to present their ventures to a judging panel on Thursday, April 10. Ultimately, nine winners emerged—some chosen for their impressive pitches and others for their exceptional applications. An additional 11 recipients were announced during the event, bringing the total number of grantees to 20.
In her opening address, Layal Tinubu—Founder and Managing Director of Tots Toys and Co-founder of the Noella Foundation—emphasized the initiative’s mission to economically uplift women through strategic financial backing.
“These grants are designed to help women establish their ventures, strengthen existing operations, and unlock new opportunities for growth,” she said.
The summit featured thought-provoking sessions with prominent business leaders such as Elizabeth Isiorho, founder of BETH Model Management, and Ibiyinka Ibru, CEO and lead advisor at Moneystart. A candid fireside conversation with Layal Tinubu offered attendees insight into her entrepreneurial journey, her shift from the corporate sector, and how she navigates the intersection of business leadership and motherhood.
Alumni from the 2024 edition returned to share their progress, citing significant improvements in their businesses thanks to a blend of funding and intensive mentorship. Many credited the programme with helping them formalize business processes, improve management, and accelerate growth.
Ahead of the summit, this year’s 20 beneficiaries completed a rigorous five-week training programme designed to deepen their understanding of strategic planning, financial literacy, operational effectiveness, and scalability. Industry professionals facilitated the sessions to ensure practical, actionable learning.
Organisers highlighted that Be Empowered goes far beyond monetary support—its core objective is to arm women entrepreneurs with essential tools and knowledge to build sustainable, thriving businesses that can withstand economic challenges and drive impact over time.
